Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Zilla: For fans of the dark and horrifying, we have Konn Lavery here! A Canadian author, Konn wrote Necroflora, which you can find in Spud Publishing’s Sequel anthology. Konn, tell us about your story!

Konn: Milo is an average student, a decent bartender, and an okay boyfriend, finding his chance at redemption at a mining operation in Northern British Columbia. All sorts of questions are raised after a miner falls into a shaft, but the only thing found is a mysterious, cross-cultural shrine. Milo joins his wayward professor Dr. Rossdale to study and make sense of these strange happenings, only to make one of the most important, and most frightening, discoveries of their careers.

Zilla: What inspired you to write this book?

Konn: A part of this story came from my first time flying an airplane. Raised in the flat prairie province of Alberta, when I saw the vast mountain ranges from high above, it made me wonder what could be hidden inside, lost in time. I’m also inspired by nature’s powerful, and mysterious, forces which play a role in the plot.

Zilla: Is there a visual image—a painting or a photo—that inspired you?

Konn: The mountains were a huge inspiration which I see each day living in Vancouver. But I’d like to note that the artwork within the novella done by Elise Byenkya illustrates the unsettling themes of the story.

Zilla: Do you surprise your readers? 

Konn: I believe so. Necroflora has a couple of really creepy scenes that have left readers unsettled.

Zilla: Why do you write?

Konn: I’ve been compelled to make art since I picked up a pencil. Drawing, painting, music, writing. Telling stories has the strongest grip on me, discovering where these characters will take me. Then, inviting readers to dive into the obscure worlds and give them something to ponder long after they finish the book is quite rewarding.

Zilla: What’s your next writing project?

Konn: I’m writing the finale to my multi-genre trilogy, Ash Born. It mixes urban fantasy and supernatural thriller elements. The series blurb is below:

Lola Cabello is a fugitive after exposing the law’s connection to the notorious Crystal Moth gang who destroyed her life and family, igniting her need for revenge and descending her into a world of reptilian drug lords, demons, and the fantastic.

Zilla: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

Konn: Necroflora is available at: https://spudpub.com/products/sequel

All of my novels, audiobooks, and short stories are available at: https://konnlavery.com/

Monthly Newsletter: https://konnlavery.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/konnlavery/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/konnlavery/